Here’s our brief preview of Port Vale’s final friendly game before the season begins…

Listen live

Altrincham’s Radio Robins will be broadcasting commentary over the web. Coverage starts as 2:55pm. Link: www.radiorobins.com

Match Essentials

Date: Saturday 1 August, 3pm

Ticket prices: Adults £7, Concessions £4, Under-5’s Free

Port Vale

Manager: Rob PageLast match: N/ARecent form: N/A

Altrincham

Manager: Lee SinnottLast match: N/ARecent form: N/A

Team News

Michael O’Connor: will miss the game through injury

The Valiants will be missing injured duo Chris Neal and Michael O’Connor and are likely to give new arrival Ryan Inniss more gametime in central defence. Altrincham manager Lee Sinnott could name up to three ex-Valiants in their line-up (more on them further down in this feature).

Pre-match quote

“I don’t think there is too much difference between the Conference and League One really, I think it is probably players that make the difference so collectively I think they will be very organised, they will be fit and it will be a very good test for us…”

Port Vale’s Louis Dodds

Last time we met…

The two sides have only met competively on one occasion. That was in the FA Cup in 1993 with Vale winning 4-1 and fortunately we have highlights of that game on the OVF YouTube channel. Click play to watch the video.

Club Connections

With former Port Vale manager Lee Sinnott in charge at Altrincham, it’s no surprise that there a number of former players in their squad. They are:

Former midfielder and player of the year Anthony Griffith who joined the club in the summer.

Former winger and youth team graduate Simon Richman

Former Northern Ireland International striker James Lawrie

Altrincham have also signed several former Valiants who have since left the club. These include:

Former Chasetown striker Kyle Perry

Left-back Ryan Brown

Forward Michael Twiss

Bluffer’s Guide

Lee Sinnott: contrasting fortunes

Manager Lee Sinnott has been in charge at Altrincham since 2011. His record at the moment is 91 wins in 191 games – a win rate of 47%. In contrast, his win rate at Vale Park was a mere 21%.

Overall record:

1 Port Vale wins

0 Port Vale losses

0 draws

Essential facts about our opponents to impress your mates with…

Altrincham returned to the Conference for the 2014-15 season after winning the Conference North play-offs and finished in 17th place last season.

The club were founder members of the Football Alliance (the forerunner of the Conference) and finished Champions in the competitions first two seasons.

Their last trip to the Potteries was a good one. Altrincham beat Eastbourne in the Conference South play-offs held at the Britannia Stadium in 2005.